It was an AFN Golden League to remember for Ese Brume who would be delighted having met the qualification mark for the Rio 2016 Olympics after she churned out impressive performances in all six jumps she attempted on Monday.
For Brume, it was a matter of saving the best for the last, leaping to a new Personal Best (PB) of 6.83m(+1.2) to win an event she totally dominated. Brume had worked hard for this qualification, even competing in the women’s 400m at the AFN All Comers in Lagos, last month to enhance her endurance.
Before each jump, Brume clapped, roared and got the audience behind her after she opened up with 6.56m in her first attempt, and there was no looking back from then on as she took the win.
“I feel so excited and grateful to God for getting my target here today. I’m looking forward to being at the podium but not just that; I actually want to win the Gold medal in Rio come August. I’m confident of retaining my title at the forthcoming African Championships; I can do it again,” Brume told Making of Champions after the event.
She has now joined Blessing Okagbare as Nigeria’s qualifiers for the Long Jump in Rio, and the commonwealth champion will be glad having surpassed her previous PB of 6.68m set two years ago in Calabar. Mercy Abire finished 2nd with a mark of 6.18m(+1.6), and Ruth Usoro 3rd going a distance of 6.10m (+1.7).
Last year wasn’t so favourable for Brume, having to lose her national title and even missing out on the 2015 World Championships in Beijing. However, she seems to be back now, and will be happy with her latest feat.
“Nothing will change about my training programme; I will do is to remain focused and hold unto God because He has already given me this victory, and I’m sure he can do better. During the time I was facing a challenge in terms of my injury setback, I kept telling myself that I could do it. I told myself that there is no champion out there that never had injuries, so mine is not different. That was what I used in building my confidence, as well as prayers. I am coming back stronger” she further added.
Grace Anigbata won the women’s High Jump scaling a height pf 1.78m, with Esther Issa having jumped 1.75m to place 2nd, while Ngozi Nwichi finished 3rd jumping 1.65m.
In the men’s category, Arinze Obiora despite being the only athlete to clear 2.10m, looked unhappy after he missed all three attempts in the next round. Oluwole Walter finished 2nd going past 1.95m, same height as Taiwo Sunday who finished 3rd.
Meanwhile in the women’s Shot Put, Eucharia Ogbukwo won throwing a distance of 14.75m as Chime Nkechi Leticia finished 2nd with a mark of 14.72m, and Hope Jacob 3rd with 8.36m.
African Games Champion Kelechi Nwanga threw a Season’s Best of 51.39m to win the women’s Javelin with Kasie Ugeh placing 2nd with 40.48m, as Nwichi who had earlier competed in the High Jump also finished 3rd in Javelin.
In the men’s category, Samuel Adams remained the one to beat as he maintained his winning streak, landing the spear a distance of 72.25m which got the spectators applauding in appreciation. Friday Osayande finished 2nd with a mark of 65.93m, and Ferdinand Tsafa 3rd throwing a distance of 60.18m
